Dalena Tran wins BAASST scholarship from Quakes

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Think of the San Jose Earthquakes and one word immediately comes to mind: passion. Whether it comes from the players on the field doing everything they can to lead the team to victory or from the club in its quest be the best organization in MLS, passion is the fuel that provides the motivation to succeed.

So when it came time for the Earthquakes to give out their annual Bay Area All-Star Scholarship Team award, the club looked for a local high school student who shared the same mantra as the organization to receive its $3,000 scholarship. Because of her passion for helping those around her, as well as her dedication to her own success, Dalena Tran of Irvington High School in Fremont has been named the Earthquakes’ 2013 BAASST Scholarship recipient.

The scholarship is given annually to a Bay Area public high school senior who excels in both academics and community outreach. Through hard work and dedication – much like that seen day in and day out from Earthquakes players – this student knows to never give up in the pursuit of reaching his or her goals. Without a doubt, Dalena personifies this student.

In addition to her 3.83 GPA and strong track record of in achievement in advanced classes at Irvington High, Dalena has accomplished a tremendous amount in making a difference to those in her community as well as abroad. As a member of Global Glimpse, she fundraised extensively to send herself to Nicaragua to help teach English to disadvantaged adults in rural areas. Since 2012, Dalena has volunteered at the Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Center and helps not only in caring for orphaned animals, but also in fundraising efforts for the organization.

“Due to a compulsion to maintain high levels of productivity in myself and in my surroundings, I make my community a better place through both small gestures as well as through full scale projects,” shared Dalena about her passion to make a difference in the world. “I genuinely want to help rather than raise a number on my transcript.”

BAASST has recognized exceptional students like Dalena for the past 17 years. A collaborative effort among the top professional sports teams in the Bay Area – including the San Jose Sharks, Golden State Warriors, Oakland A’s, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco Giants, and San Francisco 49ers – the seven annual scholarship winners are each recognized at an event hosted by each team.